It's debatable whether 2K has had an overall positive impact on the WWE game series or not. However, one of the best parts about the WWE 2K games are the 2K Showcases. The mode has varied a little over the years, but the main premise has stayed the same: you play a series of matches and try to complete the objectives the game gives you - some of which trigger cutscenes mid-match.
Each version of the mode is enjoyable in its own right, but which is the best? Please note that the Attitude Era mode from WWE 13 and the 30 Years Of WrestleMania from 2K14 aren't technically 2K Showcases, so they're not included.
14 Grip Of The Overlord (WWE 2K20 - Wasteland Wanderers DLC)
WWE 2K20 offers several pieces of downloadable content called 2K Originals. Each of them has its own unique aesthetic and featured Showcase. For the Wasteland Wanderers one, you play through an original tale set in a dystopian wasteland.
It's all about Seth The Wanderer (aka Seth Rollins) fighting in several matches to impress the Overlord. His goal is to do well enough to earn food and water. It's not the most exciting storyline.
13 A Glitch In The System (WWE 2K20 - Empire Of Tomorrow DLC)
In this 2K Original Showcase, Asuka takes center stage as a hacker in a cyberpunk world. Her goal is to bring down the authority led by Chairwoman Bliss (Alexa Bliss). The visuals are nice in this one with all the bright neon lights. However, the matches aren't particularly interesting.
As for the story, it's told mostly through text conversations. While that can work for many games, the writing here isn't good enough to make up for the lack of dialogue between matches.
12 2016 Hall Of Fame (WWE 2K17 DLC)
While there's no Showcase in the base 2K17 game, 2K did release one as DLC, which revolves around the 2016 inductees into the WWE Hall Of Fame. The Showcase differs from most of the other ones in that it doesn't tell a continuous tale. Instead, you play through a collection of important matches that feature the 2016 Hall Of Famers.
The change does add a bit of variety to the mode, as you get to play as several different people. Still, the lack of connection between matches hurts the Showcase more than it helps.
11 2015 Hall Of Fame (WWE 2K16 DLC)
The WWE Hall Of Fame class of 2015 takes center stage in this Showcase. Each of the inductees - besides Arnold Schwarzenegger from the celebrity wing - feature in their own individual matches.
Once again, the lack of a continuous tale hurts the mode's overall appeal, especially as some of the bouts are short. Yet, at least, the Showcase gives you access to wrestlers that don't typically make it into the games.
10 The Demon Within (WWE 2K20 - Bump In The Night DLC)
The first 2K Original was Bump In The Night, and it features The Demon Within Showcase. In this one, Bray Wyatt is trying to unleash the demon inside of Finn Balor by making him face increasingly difficult opponents. It's a strange story because most of the people you face are horror-themed versions of WWE superstars.
This Showcase is a bit more creative than a few others in the 2K Original family. Plus, Bray Wyatt's performance on commentary is fantastic.
9 Path Of The Warrior (WWE 2K15 - DLC)
Despite being a relatively short Showcase, the Path of the Warrior does a good job covering the entire WWE career of The Ultimate Warrior. All of his main matches are included. And during them, you get to witness some impressive cutscenes.
However, during his career, Warrior's ring-work was never particularly exciting. Unfortunately, his limited ring skills are translated to the virtual version. So, it's not exactly enjoyable to play as the muscle man for an entire Showcase.
8 Saving Southpaw (WWE 2K20 - Southpaw Regional Wrestling DLC)
2K brought Southpaw Regional Wrestling to the video game world in a DLC for 2K20. The expansion's Showcase mode tells the tale of Mr. Mackelroy's attempts to turn the parody promotion into a wrestling-themed petting zoo.
The issue is solved in the ring as Mackelroy's closest allies face those trying to stop his plans in a series of matches. This is the best 2K Originals showcase because of its humor. The conversations are genuinely funny, and so are the outlandish gimmicks that the wrestlers have.
7 Hall Of Pain (WWE 2K15 - DLC)
Mark Henry had a career resurgence in 2011 when he became a meaner and angrier man who started adding people to his Hall of Pain. That fantastic run is depicted in this Showcase mode.
As this is DLC, it's naturally shorter than the main game ones, which isn't really a problem on this occasion because the run itself wasn't too long. So, 2K manage to fit all of Henry's significant matches from that time into this Showcase. And they all include some visually stunning cutscenes.
6 The Women's Evolution (WWE 2K20)
2K20's featured Showcase chronicles The Four Horsewomen's impact on women's wrestling. The journey begins from their time in NXT, and it goes all the way until the main event of WrestleMania 35.
This Showcase is brilliant. It doesn't miss much out, the cutscenes are generally good, and it includes interviews with all four women to add some extra context to the events. The only downside is it's a part of one of the worst WWE games, so there are some technical issues.
5 One More Match (WWE 2K15 - DLC)
This DLC Showcase from 2K15 is about Christian's main event run on SmackDown in 2011. During most of that period, he was locked in a feud with Randy Orton. And this mode is a fun way to relive that iconic rivalry as it includes every noteworthy moment.
It lacks a bit of variety as almost all the contests are one-on-one bouts between the two rivals. However, the Showcase is short enough that it never grows tiresome.
4 The Return Of Daniel Bryan (WWE 2K19)
After not featuring in 2K18 and only being DLC in 2K17, Showcase mode made its triumphant return in 2K19. This time around, it focuses on the WWE career of Daniel Bryan. It doesn't have time to cover all of his significant matches as there are only 11 of them as well as a bonus fantasy one.
However, they fit in all the most important bouts, and it's very fun to play through. The interviews with Bryan between matches are a nice touch as they allow him to add some extra details to everything that's happening.
3 Best Friends, Bitter Enemies (WWE 2K15)
The first two Showcases in the series set the standard for the mode's presentation. They include beautiful video packages and brilliant cutscenes as they highlight two notable feuds.
Best Friends, Bitter Enemies is the story of Shawn Michaels and Triple H's intense rivalry from the early 2000s. The two legends fought in all sorts of match types for two years. Yet, the developers smartly didn't just make it a series of battles between the two. Instead, it includes some other contests from that period, and they're all exciting.
2 Hustle, Loyalty, Disrespect (WWE 2K15)
Despite already being gone from WWE by the time 2K15 hit the shelves, CM Punk still made it into the game. And his beloved rivalry with John Cena takes center stage in the Hustle, Loyalty, Disrespect Showcase mode.
It documents both men's marquee matches from 2011 to 2013. Sometimes they're facing one another; other times, they're fighting the likes of Alberto Del Rio, Big Show, and The Rock. Many of those bouts are fun to play, while the cutscenes within them are beautifully rendered. It all makes for a fantastic experience.
1 Steve Austin 3:16 (WWE 2K16)
The 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Showcase mode from 2K16 is longer than most. That extra length is necessary, though, to recount the career of one of the most popular wrestlers ever.
Like many of the others, this version has some excellent matches and entertaining cutscenes. But what helps this Showcase rise above the others is the subject. Stone Cold created many of the fondest memories in WWE history. So, re-living them in 2K16 is a joy to behold.